Along with the developments in the tourism, the recreation industry has also benefitted and has also allowed increasing number of urban youth to get involved in all the exciting adventure sports that Nepal has to offer.[break]
While the provision of adventure sports are growing, the options have also increased thus utilizing the heterogeneous landscapes, vast forest and fast-moving streams and rivers of Nepal which include: bungee jumping, canyon swinging, canyoning, High Ropes, rafting, mountain biking, hiking, white water rafting, kayaking, rock climbing, mountain climbing, mountaineering among many others.
It isn’t uncommon these days to hear exciting tales of someone’s experience of jumping into the canyons to feel the electrifying effect of a canyon swing or cutting through the refreshing foam while white water rafting.
They inspire numerous others to go for it at least once in their lifetime.
18-year-old Renasha Ghimire, sharing about her experience of bungee jumping four months ago says, “One can’t express it in words and it’s an experience one must try out in order to understand . At first it was for adventure but after doing it I really enjoyed it. I also saw lots and lots of young people of and over my age. I think it is good for the young people because the memories and energy of the experience will last throughout your lifetime.”
One of the most prominent providers of some of these activities is The Last Resort, located on top of a gorge in the mountainous region of Panglang close to the Tibetan border.
“Every month approximately 200 Nepali youths register here, which is considerably more than what we used have about six to seven years ago,” says Darshan Shrestha, assistant Marketing Manager of The Last Resort.
He adds, “I think the number of youth getting involved in these activities is growing because adventure sports were mostly associated only with foreigners before. Gradually, the urban youth, now, have started trying out different and exciting activities.”
Initiatives Outdoor, who provide courses and activities to anybody who is interested in learning the skills of adventure sports such as bouldering, rock climbing, kayaking, mountain biking are trying to make people aware of precautions and responsibilities that they need to take care of when they are outdoors.
They also organize camps and jungle adventures for children every year. Chandra Ale, founder of Initiative Outdoor outlines that it is very important for the youth to challenge themselves.
Elaborating on the subject, Ale says, “There has been a gradual rise as people now are starting to go out of the house more often and have fun and also the awareness of health has been increasing. The skills that we teach the kids stay with them forever. Even though the parents are still apprehensive about sending their children outdoors, the young people have started to challenge themselves for the adventure.”
Rhea J Gurung, 19 has been involved with many adventure sports. Last month she went for canyon swing.
“It is fun like any other sport but except that it teases my adrenaline. I just had to try it once. I mean, there’s the bridge, there’s the harness, there’s the river down there, there’s the rope, and one can’t miss it. It was pretty cool. One doesn’t get to jump of a 160m-bridge everyday. I do these things because they are new to me and I have to experience it once.”
Among the many characteristics of teenagers and young adults, one most important is, the curiosity and eagerness to try out new and intoxicating things however dangerous or action-packed they are.
This is also a reason for the adventure sports to blossom so vigorously these days.
Therefore, if one wants to experience the feeling of stimulation and thrill of adventure which they can recount throughout with the same vigour every time, they should definitely try one or more of these sports at least once in a lifetime.
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